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Best of British Henry set to end wait over Lions squad
Updated: Tuesday April 24, 2001 12:50 PM
LONDON (Reuters) -- New Zealander Graham Henry will Wednesday settle a host of arguments raging in rugby clubs up and down the British Isles, when he names his squad for the British and Irish Lions Tour of Australia. After months of speculation about his selection, Wales's Kiwi coach will announce the 37-man party for the 10-match tour in June and July -- which includes a three-test series against the world champion Wallabies. For many rugby followers, Lions tours are bigger than World Cups. This is because they have a history stretching back to the 19th century and for many years provided the only opportunity for the Northern Hemisphere to take on the rugby powerhouses of the south on equal terms. Speculation about which players will make the squad -- made up of players from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales -- is always fevered and this year has been no exception. England's dominance of this season's Six Nations and victories over Australia and South Africa at the end of 2000 has led to suggestions that most of the squad should be English. Henry is likely to fill his squad with many of the English players who have produced such expansive, entertaining rugby this season but he could counter the English dominance by picking an Irish captain -- hooker Keith Wood. England captain and lock Martin Johnson is still many people's favorite for the job, but he led the successful tour of South Africa in 1997 and no one has ever skippered the Lions on two trips. And Wood, an impressive motivator in the dressing room, would provide extra charm off the field for the media, an important part of any long tour. Henry will name 17 backs and 20 forwards Wednesday and unusually, the key positions on the field seem to be decided. Superb playmaker Wood should win the place at hooker for the tests without any problems, although England's Dorian West and Scotland's Gordon Bulloch could challenge if he loses form. The flyhalf position is almost certain to go to England's Jonny Wilkinson who has been superb as both a playmaker and a goalkicker this season. Welsh flyhalf Neil Jenkins, world rugby's record goalkicker, is likely to get the second spot and play mainly in the seven matches against regional selections. At scrumhalf, Henry must decide whether to choose swift Welshman Rob Howley or go with Wilkinson's halfback partner for England, Matt Dawson. Dawson was inspirational on the 1997 tour, but Howley has probably been the most impressive scrumhalf in the truncated Six Nations. Biggest decision The centers and wings will provide Henry with his toughest decisions behind the scrum because of the sheer array of talent at his disposal. The Australian backs are big and powerful and the Lions know they need serious tacklers in their ranks. Although Will Greenwood has been superb for England this term, he may miss out in the fierce competition for places in the middle. Henry may feel that the presence of an imposing tackler like Welshman Scott Gibbs, who played a key role in 1997, will be essential in the centers. Ireland's Brian O'Driscoll, is by far the most dynamic and fastest center in the European game at the moment and should win his place. England's Mike Catt, Ireland's Rob Henderson and Welshman Mark Taylor could get the nod ahead of Greenwood. On the wings Henry must decide whether England's former rugby league player Jason Robinson has enough union experience to make the trip after three appearances as a replacement in the Six Nations. Dangerous runner Robinson is one of the most dangerous runners in rugby, but he might be a risk to start a test against Australia's experienced backline while he is still finding his feet in the 15-man code. England's Dan Luger and Ben Cohen and Ireland's Denis Hickie appear more likely to start the tests. There are those who believe England's Iain Balshaw should be picked on the wing instead of at fullback, where he was the best attacking player of the Six Nations with his running from deep. But Balshaw is a favorite for the number 15 jersey with Scotland's Chris Paterson also likely to make the squad. Competition is fierce in the front row, but England's Phil Vickery is set to be number one tight-head prop with Scotland's Tom Smith at loose-head. Johnson has a certain place at lock with Scotland's mobile Scott Murray also likely to play the tests. Henry's biggest decision behind the scrum is in the back row. England's former captain Lawrence Dallaglio -- also a possible skipper -- is likely to be a test starter at number eight but Welsh powerhouse Scott Quinnell may get on the field at some time in the tests. Henry can also play Dallaglio at flanker and he must decide whether he wants to use England's mobile Neil Back in the back row or go with bigger men players like England's Richard Hill or Scotland's Budge Pountney. The Lions leave for Australia at the start of June and play the tests on June 30, July 7 and 14.
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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